Washing-machine-driving mechanism



w. F. MORAN.

WASHING MACHINEl DRIVING NIECHANISNI.

APPLICATION FILI-ID IIIAY 22, 1920.

STT?

rn iis.

WILLIAM- E. MORAN, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO V. B. COMPANY, OF

` CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS. i

WASHING-MACHINE-DRIVING- MECHANISM. i

iaeaaee.

Fatented Aug. 8, 1922.

Application filed May 22, 1920'. Serial No. 383,365.

vTo allay/mm t may concerti:

.Be it known that l, 'iViLLiAM F. MORAN, a citizen of the United States, and resident i of Chicago, in the county of-C'ook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in ll/vashing-llachine- Driving Mechanism, of which the following is a description,l reference being had to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of my specification.

My invention relates to the automatic reversing mechanism for actuating the drum or dasher, or other agita-ting element, of a power-operated washing machine. The invention relates more particularly to means whereby. apositive operation or positioning of the mechanism, which controlsthe di.- rection of motion imparted .to vthe .drum or agitator, is provided; that is to say, the means ensuresa complete andefi'ective in.. termeshi-ng of the respective v elements whereby the power is. transmitted from the drive-shaft to the drum or agitator of the machine; the means at the Sametime being so arranged that an operative relation lbetween the respective elements may be manually controlled in the eventof an abnormal or accidental positioning or shifting of said elements. v

One purpose of my invention is to provide mechanism, accomplishing the objects hereinbefore stated, which will be simple in con'- struction and positive. iny action; tliepurpose andadvantages of the invention being more readily comprehended from the Ad etailed description of the accompanying y drawing, wherein 1 I .A

Figure 1` is a side elevation and partial sectional view. o f my invention, with portions of casing and gearmechanisin broken away.. .i

Figure 2. is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the off-set lineyQf-.Z of Fig-` ure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows,`with the gears omitted. kMy invention is especially adapted for use in connection with the t peof driving mechanism which automatica ly reverses the direction of rotation of the drum or agitating member of the washing machine controlled by the large gear 10, which latter is likewise driven in reverse direction through the medium ofthe pinions 11 and 12 which mesh with gear 10 on opposite sides of the center thereof. The pinions 11 and 12am both loosely mounted on` the drive-shaft 13 whichis disposed transversely within a suitable housing 1l1- which encloses all of the mechanism, andk which will prevent move# ment of the pinions 11 and 12 in a direction away from the gear 10. The inwardly presented or opposing faces 4of the pinions lland 12, or their hubs, are both provided with lugs or clutch surfaces, as at 15, which are adapted to interlock or form clutching relation with the double clutch member or elongated sleeve 16 which is slidably mounted on the squared portion ofthe drive-shaft 13 and made to constantly rotate-with the shaft 13. The double clutch member is of such length that when in clutching relation with one pinion, the other pinion will loosely rotate on the drive-shaft. The clutch member v16 is shown provided with a pair of spaced circumferential flanges 17, between which depends a yoke or member 13 which has its upper end provided with a tapped opening for the., passagel of a threaded rod or screw-shaft 19, which is disposed parallel with drive-shaft 13 and extends through the opposite side walls of the casing 14; the shaft 19 being mounted. in the casing so as to have longitudinal movement andtherefore the outer ends are provided with knobs or grasps 20. c Y

The screw-shaft 19. at a suitable point within the casing 141 is provided with a gear 21., which meshes with a'pinion 22 shown formed integral with pinion 11; the pinion 22 (which may constitute the hub of pinion 11) being made of sufficient length to permit lateral movement of gear 21 and still maintain intermeshing relation..

As pinion 1.1 is constantly in mesh with large gear` 1 0-.whether in operative relation with drive-shaft 13 or nota-it is evident that shaft 19, will. constantlyy rotatey whenthe mechanismis in operation; except, of course, that the direction of rotation of pinion 11 and therefore also vof pinionQQ, willeither` be similar to shaft 13 or be inthe opposite direction when controlled by large gear 10.

Vhen pinion l11 is out'of operative relation with driveshaft 13, but is rotated by the large gear 10, it is evident that thev direction of rotation of pinion 11 will be op-- posite to the'direction of rotation of shaft 13, lbecause in suchinstance the large gear 10 is being rotated by pinion 12 located on the opposite side of the center or axis of rie largev gear 10.r It therefore follows that shaft19Jwillalso be driven-n opposite dif.v

re'ctions because of the `intermxeshingl relafk tion betweenv piniony 22 and gear 21. The

gear 21 is so secured to shaft thatsha-ftv 19 mayy have slight play in the casing 111' in a ldirection `lengthwise of thel shaft; the pinion 22 being ofsul'licie-nt width to per-V mit the shiftingof gear=21 and still remain in `meshing relation with pinion 22.

-. The'upper'nscrew-shaft receiving` end or .sleeve .portion ofthe lyoke or clutchfcontrolling member 18 is provided with a boss 28, disposed.lengthwise of the sleeve-portion and having very gradually sloping opposite ends. or sides, arranged in the path of and adapted to Contact with a plungerll which i, is yslidably mounted in a chambered portion yso or .housing'25 of thefcasing 141, The outer end ofthe'plunger 24, on oppositesides, .isl

beveled or tapered in opposite directions;

. the'cinclination or tapery corresponding with the gradual bevel orslope of the sides 'of vboss28 so as to permita sliding relation between theend of plunger24 and theendsof boss 23 kwhen the latter is broughtinto f cofn* tact with the plunger'rthe beveled surfaces being such that the lplunger will be caused to` slide. downwardly ythro,u'gigflrl the action vof slight downward pressure', provided byfav suitablespring,l as at 26. They spring 26 yieldingly4 maintains thel plunger, 24 its outward or depressed position, namely in 1 the'l path of'theboss 28.. 'lhejsideI of plunger 24 is preferably provided with aslot 27`disc posed lengthwise thereof `and adapted to re;

ceivethe end of a suitable pin 28 whiclifve'rtf tends through an aperture in the sidewall of the chamber or housing` 25 and prevents displacement of the plunger;

Vlith ther yoke o r clutch-controlling' inember 18 having straddling relationwith` the clutch sleeve' 16. it is apparent that the yoke orclutch controlling member 18 will beheld lagainst y,rotation with the screw-shaft 19, with the result that the yoke .or member 18 is forced to move lengthwise of screw-shaft 1.9. during rotation of `the latter.; thedirection of travelof yokeor memberY18l depending.; ofcourse` upon the direction of rotation i 'ofthescrew-shaft19.,y l

With the, elements positioned'.V andlassoci d ated` asillustrated in 4lignire1 vitu's evident that the rotation f given Yto .the screw-shaft ,i19,. will cause the member oifvolte 118 to moi/'e from.. the position shown in Figura] .toward thefleft. and thereforef'cause the jplunger24; to contact withy theadvanced or i adjacent' sloping end or side of boss 23; in'- ducing the pliingerjto ridefupward von' the boss; 'allowinrutbe' clutch-.controlling mem b erork yolre to `continue `its travel 'toward v lthe 'leftathge@plunger 24: remaining. in c on- ,r tactwith. the :top .of jboss -2lvuntil`k itreaheg n l l 1,425,209 i the opposite sloping endv or side of boss 23,

.which willoccur at a moment somewhat in advance of the contact; of the yoke'18 with the oppositeV flange 17, namely the angeat the left-hand end of the sleeve clutch 16.

l The constant downward pressure exerted on plunger 24, by the spring 26, will cause the plunger to slide downwardly on the` righthand' beveled-end of boss 28. This downward pressure and movement of plunger 24 will exert a sidewise pressure on'the yoke ormember 18, namely a pressure in a dr rection'lengthwise of screw-shaft 19.y The I downward movementof'plunger 2li will causefth'e yoke or clutch-controlling member 18 with the screw-shaft 19 tofbe bodily shiftedftoward the llett in "Figurefl and fthereby induce a rapid shifting of the sleeve luntil thefp'lunger 2'4I`causes a bodily shiftingv d f of the" yoke or member'lS' and the Screwshaft- 19a distance sufficient "to delclu'tich the double clutch sleeve 16 at the right and create clutching relation with pinion llat the left.V With this'constructionpower will constantly` be yimparted to llarge gearlO,

although periodically in opposite directions. .As the 'travel "of, lyoke or` ,memberl 18 lengthwise of screw-shaft 19 must necessarily be at comparatively slow speed. to permit a predeterminedl number of revolutions to largey gear d 10 y.beforer changing its direction of rotation,'it is evidenttliat' the contact of ...the "yol'i'e' or clutch-controlling member V18,4with the flanges 17 of clutch l16 was merely f dependedl on to shift the vdouble l clutch in.errnber.` thereA wouldv be an interval in lthe operationkof4 the mechanism when' neither pinion 11 nor wouldbe in operative relation with rthe ,drive-shaft 18a-nd asa result the drum or agitatingelement controlling gear 10 wouldy not 4 be ,driven Aor receivey power during such moment.' For 'this reason4^ means must be providedff'orin'- ducing. a quick audwpositive ofthe double .clutcb member-,(16 asf so,on` as the clutch controlling member or y'jke @brought lntolltmbt@ -relation with the respective lianges `17 .0f the clutch sleeve. .Y This :result isaccomplished 'by my improvedgmechal `nism,-.because simultaneously ,with the contacting ofyoke- 18 4*with a flange 17, or slightly -in' advance thereof,y .thel beveled plunger 2,4 will be incontact witha sloping end orl beveled lside jofthe boss 28 and,

tlrrouglnthje `actionofpriug 26, fwill force the member *0r i/@ks :with ,errer-.shaft f1? Ain the direction in which the member 18 was traveling; the shifting being toan extent sufficient to move the double clutch member in similar direction and intov clutching ensleeve 16 prematurely being forced out of clutching relation with either pinion, especially when the machine is running under a light load, l prefer to provide the sleeve 16, at a suitable point, with the small pin 29 which is adapted to enter either one of a pair of slight depressions or sockets 30 formed in the squared section ofthe drive-shaft 13 and "enged in alignment with each other ance apart commensurate with the length of travel of the double clutch member or sleeve 16; the pin 29 being controlled by the flat spring 31. As this feature ofthe construction is identical with that disclosed in my prior application bearing Serial No. 312,654, a further detailed description need not be here entered into.

The ends of the screw-shaft 19, as previously stated, are shown provided with knobs or grasps 20, 20, whichienables a manual shifting of the screw-shaft 19 when occasion requires; namely in the event that the mechanism has in any way become disarran ged and the double clutch member moved into an intermediate posit-ion where neither pinion 11 nor 12 would be in operative relation with the driven-shaft 13. A proper positioning of the elements can be readily accomplished by grasping either end of screwshaft 19 and manipulating it so as to cause the yoke to forcibly Contact with either flange 17 of the clutch member 16 and thus induce a clutching relation with one of the pinions or gears.

l have shown and described what I believe to be the simplest embodiment and adaptation of my invent-ion, but modifications may be made in certain details without departing from the spirit of my invention.

that I claim is 1. ln mechanism of the character described, the combination of a drive-shaft, a pair of gears loosely mounted thereon in spaced relation with each other, a drum-controlling` gear arranged in constant mesh with both of said pair of gears, a clutch member slidably mounted on the drive-shaft intermediate of the first mentioned gears and adapted to establish operative relation between said gears and said shaft, a screwshaft disposed parallel with the driveshaft and adapted to be rotated through the medium of one of said pair of gears, and a member threaded on said screw-shaft so as to move lengthwise thereof and adapted to control the clutch member, with spring-controlled means adapted to exert lateral pressure onthe second mentioned member when" with each other, a clutch-sleeve slidable intermediate of said gears and in operative relation with said shaft, a screw-shaft rotatably mounted in parallel relation vwith said clutch-sleeve, gears intermediate of the screw-shaft and one of said pair of gears whereby the screw-shaft is caused to rotate alternately in opposite directions, and a nonrotating member threaded on the screw-shaft and in sliding relation withthe clutch-sleeve, adapted to effect operative relation with the latter when said memberv reaches one of two predetermined points in its travel lengthwise of the screw-shaft, with a spring-controlled plunger having a beveled end adapted to slide across said non-rotating member and cause the latter with said screw-shaft to shift in the direction of travel of said member and thereby shift the clutch-sleeve into clutching relation with the other gear.

3. ln mechanism of the class described, the combination of a drive-shaft, a pair of gears loosely mounted thereon; a double clutch member slidable on said shaft intermediate ofthe gears, adapted to alternately establish operative relation between said gears and the shaft, a screw-shaft rotatably mounted in parallel relation with the first shaft. and adapted to be rotated through the medium of one of said pair of gears, and a member threaded on the screw-shaft so as to travel lengthwise thereof, whereby the clutch-member is controlled when the member reaches either one of two positions, said member being provided with beveled surfaces at opposite sides thereof, with a spring controlled plunger arranged in the path of said member and provided with an outer end beveled substantially similar to the lbeveled surfaces on said member so as to slide thereon, whereby said member and the vscrew-shaft will be shifted laterally in the direction of travel of the member and the clutch member rapidly shifted into clutching relation with the nonoperative gear of said pair of gears.

fl. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a drive-shaft, a pair of gears loosely mounted thereon, a double clutch sleeve slidable on said shaft intermediate of the gears whereby operative relation between each gear and the shaft is alternat-ely effected, a screw-shaft arranged parallel with said clutch-sleeve and adap-ted to be rotated through the medium of one of said gears, said shaft being also mounted to have and positively y longitudinal n movement, a member threaded on said screw-shaftv and kadapted tocontrol said 'clutch-sleeve, said member being, provided with oppositely v beveled surfaces, with av spring-controiledA plunger slidably ar-- ranged to `extend into the path ofthe beveled surfaces of said member and: have sliding engagement therewithfjsoas to `cause lateral pressure thereagainst, whereby the vmember and screw-shaft are bodily shifted and posil tive ymovement-oi` theclutch-sleeve induced.

5.111 mechanism of thewclass described, comprising a casing, a drive-shaft mounted transverse I inthe casing', a pair of gears loosely mounted on the shaft, a clutch-sleeve slidable onf-,the shaft intermediate of the gears, adapted to alternately establish operative relation between the gears and shaft, a screw-shaft extending transversely ol' the casing in parallel relation with said Clutch sleeve-:nid arranged to be driven through n the medium of one of said gears, said shaft being mounted to have slight longitudinal movement, a clutch-controlling member threaded on said screw-shaft so as lto ride lengthwise thereof, said member being provided with opposit'ely` beveledsurfaces at opposite sides thereof, withV a spring-controlled plunger mounted in said ycasing so as to yieldingly extend into the path of said member, the end of .saidxplunger being,

beveled at an angle of inclination similar to that of the beveled surfaces onk said member soas to slide on said surfaces, whereby the member and 'screw-shaft will be caused to shift laterally when the lbeveled surfaces of the plunger and member are brought into substantially aligned relation. l

' v llLLIA-M F. .MOBAN 4llitnesses i G. Hama/IAN, y F. A. FLoRELL. 

